Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
The single most common command in all of Scripture -- and by Jesus Himself -- is the imperative, "Don't be afraid." God says it to Abraham as he awaits his promised son. He says it to Moses when he's about to face Pharaoh. He says it to Joshua when he's about to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River. He says it to David as he was being hunted by Saul. It's everywhere.
Jesus says it everywhere in the New Testament too. It's the same with angels when they make appearances to people. It can be said that the common theme and message God gives in Scripture is to not be afraid.
Why? I think it's because fear is humanity's most common problem. You might not think of yourself as a fearful person, but you'd be surprised how many of your decisions are based on fear, albeit at a deep, subconscious level.
We fear what people think. We fear the future. We fear death. We fear not having enough saved at retirement. We fear what our kids are doing on their own. We fear losing our jobs. We fear losing relationships. We fear being exposed. There's lots to fear!
All of these fears drive our decision-making, causing us to make decisions that we never thought we'd make, and making us into people we wouldn't ever set out to become.
But I got some Good News: Easter changed all of that! The Resurrection of Jesus shattered the hold that sin had on humanity, and now we can live a life that is not marked by fear, but faith.
Here's just TWO things that the Resurrection brings us, which can set us free from fear.
1- We know Jesus is the truth.
Many people in history have made claims about being God, or divine, or from heaven, or whatever. But only one rose from the grave. Jesus' Resurrection proves that He is the holder of all truth, and that we can trust Him. So when we put our faith in Him, we can be sure that He is good at keeping His word.
2- We know death isn't the end.
Until Jesus rose from the grave, no one knew if there was life after death, because there was no proof. Jesus changed all of that! 2 Corinthians 2:4 tells us, "God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead, and we know that God will also raise us with Jesus." We know death isn't the end. In fact, we can know that anything negative that takes place in our lives isn't our final or ultimate place. God redeems it all.
Jesus is still alive, so His comfort to us remains the same: Don't be afraid! After all, He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
The single most common command in all of Scripture -- and by Jesus Himself -- is the imperative, "Don't be afraid." God says it to Abraham as he awaits his promised son. He says it to Moses when he's about to face Pharaoh. He says it to Joshua when he's about to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River. He says it to David as he was being hunted by Saul. It's everywhere.
Jesus says it everywhere in the New Testament too. It's the same with angels when they make appearances to people. It can be said that the common theme and message God gives in Scripture is to not be afraid.
Why? I think it's because fear is humanity's most common problem. You might not think of yourself as a fearful person, but you'd be surprised how many of your decisions are based on fear, albeit at a deep, subconscious level.
We fear what people think. We fear the future. We fear death. We fear not having enough saved at retirement. We fear what our kids are doing on their own. We fear losing our jobs. We fear losing relationships. We fear being exposed. There's lots to fear!
All of these fears drive our decision-making, causing us to make decisions that we never thought we'd make, and making us into people we wouldn't ever set out to become.
But I got some Good News: Easter changed all of that! The Resurrection of Jesus shattered the hold that sin had on humanity, and now we can live a life that is not marked by fear, but faith.
Here's just TWO things that the Resurrection brings us, which can set us free from fear.
1- We know Jesus is the truth.
Many people in history have made claims about being God, or divine, or from heaven, or whatever. But only one rose from the grave. Jesus' Resurrection proves that He is the holder of all truth, and that we can trust Him. So when we put our faith in Him, we can be sure that He is good at keeping His word.
2- We know death isn't the end.
Until Jesus rose from the grave, no one knew if there was life after death, because there was no proof. Jesus changed all of that! 2 Corinthians 2:4 tells us, "God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead, and we know that God will also raise us with Jesus." We know death isn't the end. In fact, we can know that anything negative that takes place in our lives isn't our final or ultimate place. God redeems it all.
Jesus is still alive, so His comfort to us remains the same: Don't be afraid! After all, He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
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Wasn't Easter Sunday awesome? We had three full services, great worship, superb donuts, a packed kids ministry, and lots of hands raised declaring faith in Christ for the first time.
God's so good.
God's so good.
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Sunday, May 1: SQUARE ONE
Interested in becoming a member? Or just want to hear a little more about Meadows and your pastors? Square One is the perfect place to start.
This conference is where we lay it all out there: our doctrine, our philosophy, our strategies, our personal stories, the works. It ends with the opportunity to become a member. Click HERE to register.
Interested in becoming a member? Or just want to hear a little more about Meadows and your pastors? Square One is the perfect place to start.
This conference is where we lay it all out there: our doctrine, our philosophy, our strategies, our personal stories, the works. It ends with the opportunity to become a member. Click HERE to register.
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This Sunday is FAMILY SUNDAY! And a special one, at that. What does that mean?
First, ALL ages will be in the Sanctuary together (no Kids Church) for services at 9 & 11 AM. (Nursery will still be available for ages 0-3.) I believe it's important to show our kids how we worship, study, and do community together.
Second, we've got baptisms! Lots of baptisms.
Third, we've got some babies to dedicate to the Lord.
Fourth, we'll take communion together as a church family.
Lastly, we'll end early and enjoy a free taco lunch out in the courtyard. My weather app says it's supposed to be niiiiiiiice.
Join us! I'm looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
First, ALL ages will be in the Sanctuary together (no Kids Church) for services at 9 & 11 AM. (Nursery will still be available for ages 0-3.) I believe it's important to show our kids how we worship, study, and do community together.
Second, we've got baptisms! Lots of baptisms.
Third, we've got some babies to dedicate to the Lord.
Fourth, we'll take communion together as a church family.
Lastly, we'll end early and enjoy a free taco lunch out in the courtyard. My weather app says it's supposed to be niiiiiiiice.
Join us! I'm looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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